How friends make you healthier

One of the best kept secrets to good health and a long life? Having a robust social network that includes relatives, friends, and other relationships. These are just a few of the reasons why you should prioritize your family and pals.

You’ll be less likely to get sick.

In one well-known study, folks with more diverse social connections were less susceptible to colds than those who were socially isolated.

People with stronger social connections were 50 percent more likely to live longer than those with weaker connections, a 2010 analysis found. That makes the impact of friendlessness comparable to that of smoking.